Black Forest Cake

Black Forest Cake

Black Forest Cake

Ever since I posted the image for Black forest cake on the facebook page of Sailu’s Kitchen, I have been getting numerous requests to post the recipe for black forest cake. Sorry to have kept you waiting.

Black Forest Gateau

The original name of this popular German dessert is Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte aka Black Forest cherry torte. It is known by different names in different parts of the world. In India, its popular as black forest pastry, in the US, as black forest and in the UK, as black forest gateau. The authentic black forest is a multiple chocolate genoise layer cake which is soaked in Kirschwasser liqueur (a clear liqueur distilled from cherries) and covered with whipped cream and cherry filling.

In India most bakeries that offer black forest on the menu replace the Kirsch liqueur with tinned cherry syrup. The black forest cake that I have eaten and know of has 3 to 4 layers of chocolate cake, with whipped cream and maraschino cherries between each layer, topped with whipped cream and decorated with cherries and grated chocolate or chocolate shards. Family and friends rave about the black forest cake I make at home. Honestly, it is way better than the store bought cake even though I do not make the authentic genoise that Black forest cake calls for. If you are planning on preparing sweet recipes for kids for a get together or birthday party, you should consider black forest cake..

Black Forest

I used tinned maraschino cherries and Rich’s whipping cream. I’d suggest you do not skip the brewed coffee which gives a lovely flavor to the cake.

Method

Preheat oven to 175 degrees Centigrade. Grease and flour two 9" cake pans or three 6" cake pans. I used three 6" cake pans.

Add a tbsp of instant coffee powder to the hot water and keep aside.

In a large bowl, sieve the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the sugar and mix well with the dry ingredients.

Make a well in the center and add the milk, oil, vanilla essence and beaten eggs and mix. Finally add the hot coffee mixture and mix. Do not over mix.

Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pans and bake in the middle rack of the oven for 40 mts or until a skewer comes out clean. Start checking from 35 mts onwards.

Cool on a wire rack for 30 mts before inverting onto a wire rack. Bring to room temperature. If the cake has a dome shape, use a serrated knife and slice the dome off and level the cake till it has a flat top.

While the cake is cooling, prepare the whipping cream. Place a very large bowl and beaters in the freezer for 15 mts before beating the whipping cream..

Place ice cubes in a plate. Place the cold bowl on the ice cubes and pour two cups of whipping cream in the bowl. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form, approx 5-6 mts. Place the whipped cream in the fridge till you start assembling the cake.

Open the tinned cherries and drain the liquid (cherry syrup). Measure 1 cup of syrup and add 3 tbsps powdered sugar and mix. This is to reduce the tartness of the cherry syrup.

Pit 1 cup of cherries, chop into small pieces and keep aside. Reserve 1/4 cup of whole cherries for decoration.

To assemble the cake:

On a turntable, place a cake board that has been lined with shiny silver or gold paper. Invert the cake and place it upside down on top of the cake base so that the cake has a flat top.

Drizzle 5 to 6 tbsps of cherry syrup or sugar syrup over the cake layer covering the entire cake. Do not drizzle too much syrup as the cake might get soggy,

Using a spatula spread a cup of whipped cream . Leave a gap of 1" along the edge of the cake. It should be a thick layer. Over the layer spread some of the chopped cherries.

Place another layer of inverted cake over the first layer and repeat the same process with cherry syrup, whipped cream and chopped cherries.

Finally place the inverted cake layer with the flat top and drizzle with cherry syrup all over and spread a thin layer of whipped cream on top and along the sides of the cake.

Use a cake comb along the sides and create a comb effect all around the cake. Place the cake in the fridge for at least 2 to 3 hours at this stage.

Place the remaining whipped cream in a piping bag with a star tip and place in fridge. At the time of serving, remove the cake from the fridge and pipe stars along the top edge of the cake and at the base of the cake as shown in the picture above.

Place a cherry on top of each piped out star and sprinkle grated chocolate. You can also place chocolate shards along the sides. You can decorate as your fancy.

Place the cake in the fridge for at least another hour and serve. If you are rushed for time, you can go ahead and serve the cake.

Tips

The whipping cream makes 4 cups of whipped cream.

Instead of cherry syrup, you can use sugar syrup. Mix 3/4 cup of powdered sugar to 1 1/2 cups of water and mix. Chill till use.

2 tbsp of rum can be added to the cherry syrup for a touch of alcohol. I have not added any rum to the above recipe.

The flavor of the cake is best when the cake sits in the fridge for a minimum of 6 to 8 hours or overnight.

Remove the whipping cream from freezer the earlier day and place in the fridge. The left over whipping cream can be frozen for a few more weeks. But do not store the cream that has been whipped. Use it as required for cake decoration and discard the left over whipped cream or use it to prepare another dessert.

The left over cherry syrup can be stored in a clean plastic or glass container and kept in the freezer up to a few weeks. The left over cherries can be stored in a clean plastic or glass container and kept in the freezer. Discard the can and do not store the left overs in it.

You can skip the step 17 above and complete the final cake decoration and refrigerate the cake for a few hours and serve.

Black forest cake is a gem among sweet recipes for kids. A German dessert with chocolate cake layers, whipped cream, cherries and garnished with chocolate.

Recipes for Kids - Kids Zone

Looks gorgeous! I think it is worth all the pain during its preparation! Loved it!

jaya

Can you post an eggless version of this recipe?

Sar

Pls share eggless version of this black forest cake

Suchitra

Sailaja …Infact I looked for the recipe on ur blog before starting….and then went for nigellas….the coffee tip is great… I brewed the cherries in the syrup with a little corn starch and spread it in between the layers…….this is what the germans do and u get a stronger cherry flavor….only thing I should a reserved some of the cherry water to soak the sponge.. So the pastry was slightly dry….ur tip about whipped cream on ice is good…. I realised later when the cream wasn’t holding its peaks…but i did go easy on the cream….anyways still proud of my first attempt at pastries….

savita

hi sailu just want to know which flour shoul i use to make cake….

http://sailusfood.com/ Sailu | Indian Food

All purpose flour or Maida

http://myblueberrykitchen.com/ Rosie – Blueberry Kitchen

What a gorgeous looking cake! It looks and sounds divine!

sahera

Lovely .. Trying now ..

Archu

What is the instant coffee powder that you use?

http://sailusfood.com/ Sailu | Indian Food

I used Nescafe instant coffee powder.

Priya

Pretty,gorgeous and elegant cake.

srilu

Sailu

thank you so much for the recipe .images are very nice. i always try your recipes. every time i get compliments. thank you so much sailu.

Rose Petal

Hi Sailaja,

This is the first time I am posting on any blog. You have a very nice site. I have tried variety of andhra snacks and trust me everything was a hit when I follow the exact steps mentioned here. I am very thank ful to you for maintaining such a wonderful site.

I am trying to find tinned cherries and whipping cream here in Vizag and Hyderabad but am not successful.

Can you please let me know where did you get these from.

Thanks in advance.

http://sailusfood.com/ Sailu | Indian Food

You are most welcome. Thanks for the kind words. In Vizag, you will find them at Karachiwala or VK Chocolate store (right opp HSBC building). In Hyderabad, you will find them at Sri Venkateswara Agencies, Near Jagannath Swami Temple, General Bazaar, Secundrabad OR Adilaxmi Enterprises, Road 12, Banjara Hills, Next to Familia Hospital OR Q-Mart – Road no.2, Banjara Hills, near Thai Express (is expensive here)

Rose Petal

Thank you sailaja garu for the prompt reply. Will Visit these places.

Rose Petal

I tried this yesterday and it was a huge hit.. Everybody in my family liked it the most..

Sav

Hi Sailu! This is the first time I am posting on your blog. I absolutely love your recipes! They always turn out well.
Can I ask you – do you have a recipe for the pineapple pastry that is so famous in India? Please do post it if you do.
Thanks!

http://sailusfood.com/ Sailu | Indian Food

Thanks for the kind words, Yes, Pineapple Pastry is on my list to post on the blog.

Sav

Oh wow! I can’t wait for it! thanks so much!

Sowmya

Can this be made eggless?will it be soft .

Raj Gupta

yes

julie

hi sailu, am a big fan of ur blog. have tried a no. of ur recipes and believe me every time it was super duper hit in my family and most recently i have tried chicken biryani for my son’s birthday and have got lots of praises from all the guests and all the credit goes to u.
today have seen ur black forest cake and its so tempting wow…….. and am going to make it for sure… I have a doubt can we bake it in microwave, if so pls. tell me how to coz everytime i bake its not a perfect cake.. Pls. clear my doubt

http://sailusfood.com/ Sailu | Indian Food

I have never baked in a MW.

Ras

Pls post eggless version of this black forest cake… We love this cake….

Raina

Love this cake. Made it at home for my hubby’s birthday. We all enjoyed it. Thanks for the recipe

Keep posting

Prathima Koneru

I was skeptic that this might turn out soggy,but i came out perfectly well.I did add an extra cup of sugar though.The taste is as authentic as it can get.Great recipe.

http://sailusfood.com/ Sailu | Indian Food

Lovely! Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback and picture of the cake. Much appreciated.

Priya Senthil

Hi Sailu,

Thanks for posting this wonderful recipe. I love this cake and never thought that i can make this by my own. I tried this recipe and it came out very well and the taste was too good. I could not find the whipping cream in any of the stores, so i got the whipped frosting. Do you have any idea where i can get the whipping cream in US.

Thanks,
Priya

Eza

Hi,
Im Eza i tried this black forest cake and i found it good and easy. The cake even released the pan without hassle. Thank you so much for posting it.

Best of Sailu's Kitchen Recipes:

Want a free copy of the eBook: The Best of Sailu's Kitchen?Sign up for the free newsletter